Opelousas may allow downtown residences

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - The Opelousas Board of Aldermen has voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance next month that proposes rezoning the city's central business district to include residential use. Alderman Blair Briggs said the area that includes the St. Landry Parish Courthouse and Opelousas City Hall is zoned primarily for businesses and parish and municipal government buildings. Briggs told The Advocate Tuesday the ordinance would allow construction of apartments and the conversion of buildings now used for commercial purposes into residences. Briggs says changing the ordinance would help the revitalization of the city's downtown area, which includes many vacant buildings.